Volume One: Menial Servant of Changshui County Chapter Sixty-Six: How Dare I Disappoint a Beauty

“A girl like that is hard to find!” Guard Mo sighed. “Although you’re a Demon Slayer, your status far surpasses ordinary folk, but as long as the other party is virtuous and has a good character, what does it matter?”

“Matching families is only for the great clans. You’re just a minor official; you don’t need to be so concerned about that.”

At first, Guard Mo felt that Lu Jiuzhang and Zhao Chan’er were not suited for each other. But the more he observed, the more he liked Zhao Chan’er, and began to wish he could bring them together. Such a virtuous woman—marrying her would be a fortune.

“It’s not so simple. I see Chan’er as my own younger sister. I have no romantic feelings for her—that’s the first reason,” Lu Jiuzhang sighed. “The second is, I am still like a floating weed, unable to guarantee even my own survival. How could I dare to ruin someone else’s life?”

“I’ve offended Lord Wang, the Deputy Magistrate. Though he hasn’t acted yet, he’s like a venomous snake hidden in the grass, waiting for a chance to strike.”

“He’s no saint!”

“And that’s just what’s visible. My elder brother’s death is shrouded in mystery, and I haven’t been able to investigate it fully. Within the Demon Slayer Bureau, I’m constantly targeted; the main goal of those monsters is to kill me.”

“If not, why would I ask you to be my guard?”

“When even my life hangs by a thread, how could I dare entangle a good woman in my fate?”

Lu Jiuzhang gazed at the bright moon, his mood heavy.

“Forget what I said, I take it back.” Guard Mo replied. “Chan’er should definitely not follow you—otherwise, she might die without even knowing how.”

“You’re really out of luck, offending all the big shots.”

“They’ve even used sorcerers against you—their methods are too high-level. If I leave, with you alone, I reckon… I reckon you might not survive two months.”

Guard Mo felt he was being conservative.

If he wasn’t, perhaps Lu Jiuzhang would die shortly after he left.

But he had to leave eventually.

Most of the two-month deadline had already passed; in another month, he’d be gone.

He couldn’t stay in Changshui County forever for Lu Jiuzhang’s sake.

And to say nothing of others—if Lord Wang makes a move, Guard Mo wouldn’t be able to handle it.

He could only help Lu Jiuzhang fend off the secret attacks; as for the open ones, a mere martial man like him couldn’t oppose the court.

“If things get too bad, come to the Thousand Mechanisms Tower. The Tower is powerful; maybe they could protect you.” Guard Mo gave some advice.

“Do you mean the Thousand Mechanisms Tower in Anxi Prefecture?” Lu Jiuzhang shook his head, not hopeful. “Lord Wang is more than just a deputy magistrate; he has powerful people behind him.”

“Factions abound; without backing, he wouldn’t keep his position.”

“If the people behind Lord Wang make a move, could the Thousand Mechanisms Tower still keep me alive?”

His words made sense, and Guard Mo fell silent.

What use is the power of the Thousand Mechanisms Tower?

They still have to maintain good relations with the local authorities.

The people behind Lord Wang must be major figures in Anxi Prefecture; if they act, the Tower certainly wouldn’t offend them for Lu Jiuzhang’s sake.

Weighing the options, the other side isn’t foolish—they’ll make their choice.

Thinking it over, only one person could really protect Lu Jiuzhang.

The manager Zhao, who had come with them to Anxi Prefecture and ordered Guard Mo to stay at Lu Jiuzhang’s side, was said to have extraordinary connections and a deep background.

She was only in Anxi Prefecture’s Thousand Mechanisms Tower for training.

But would she protect Lu Jiuzhang?

Guard Mo wasn’t sure.

“Enough, let’s not dwell on it. Rest early.” Lu Jiuzhang said. “Tomorrow I’ll go to the Demon Slayer Bureau, and most of my time will be spent there. I won’t be coming back much.”

Staying in the Bureau brought peace and avoided the enthusiastic invitations of Madam Zhao.

“Hmm… If you’re free these days, why not go to the Crimson Pavilion?” Guard Mo said with a serious face. “Since your chances of survival are slim, you might as well enjoy yourself before you die.”

Seeing Guard Mo’s solemn expression, so at odds with his words, Lu Jiuzhang nearly laughed aloud.

“Guard Mo, you know about the Crimson Pavilion? I thought you were always serious—a decent man.”

Lu Jiuzhang couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s the big deal? Just because I don’t go doesn’t mean I can’t recommend it to you,” Guard Mo replied. “A man shouldn’t die with regrets.”

“We’ll see. Though my chances of surviving are slim and I’m like a floating weed, I still have to fight and try. Maybe fate will spare me, and I’ll survive after all.”

Lu Jiuzhang smiled as he entered the courtyard.

Guard Mo gazed at Lu Jiuzhang’s back, momentarily lost in thought.

He hadn’t seen such an optimistic person in a long time.

Even in peril, Lu Jiuzhang still dared to struggle for a chance at life.

Cultivation is much the same—everyone striving to advance.

Yet to advance against the current is a hard road.

Reaching the lowest rank is only the first step; after that, countless hurdles await.

Many stop at the threshold, and countless spend their lives stuck at the ninth rank, never glimpsing the eighth.

…

Last night, the moon was bright and the stars sparse; today brought clear skies.

The first day of April.

Year of Renyin, Jiachen, Jiayin.

Favorable for sacrifices, for demolition of houses or walls; unfavorable for moving in or starting construction.

Lu Jiuzhang arrived early at the Demon Slayer Bureau, then headed to the training field to cultivate.

These past days, Lu Jiuzhang and Zhou Chengdu had been here.

Both stripped to the waist, training their blade techniques—sometimes sparring, sometimes working separately.

Progress with blade skills was rapid; Zhou Cheng’s left-handed blade was already well-formed and quite powerful.

Lu Jiuzhang’s progress was several times that of Zhou Cheng.

He even began practicing the left-handed blade himself.

If he faced danger in the future, the left-handed blade might be one of his trump cards.

The basics of blade technique lie in thirteen forms: chop, slash, lift, slice, thrust, block, push, stab, slide, stir, crash, point, and pull.

These thirteen forms blend into countless moves and martial skills.

Recently, Lu Jiuzhang had mastered the Demon Slayer blade technique, approaching the threshold of “initiate” level.

His blade could slice seven-tenths into a stone tablet.

It wouldn’t be long before he could break through to eight-tenths.

Zhou Cheng secretly envied him.

Clearly, talent is not something everyone possesses.

He had trained hard for years, yet could not match Lu Jiuzhang’s progress in a few days.

Lu Jiuzhang was also secretly practicing “Swift Wind Step.” Though not yet at the initiate stage, his speed had improved considerably.

When sparring with Zhou Cheng, Lu Jiuzhang did not use “Swift Wind Step.”

If it were close combat, with that technique, Lu Jiuzhang felt Zhou Cheng would be defeated within ten rounds.

Within fifteen rounds, Zhou Cheng would lose his life.

The first thing that comes with improved strength is confidence; as he grew stronger, Lu Jiuzhang felt his chances of surviving were growing.